There was no sense in crying…I had a job to do?

ANNIE M: 2009, AGE 59 

Doctors diagnosed me with stage 3 ovarian virus cancer on November 08. I had had about two weeks of bloating and little abdominal pain and didn’t feel good all year.  I was feeling very tired and run down and blamed it on allergies. When my HPV was diagnosed, I had a test level of CA125 at 2750! I guess they want you to be 30 and below!

From the moment of my diagnosis, I never doubted in my ever-loving mind that I would beat this thing. I kept a positive attitude throughout everything–I wasn’t in denial..but there was no sense in crying…I had a job to do. Even the doctors and nurses said I was different from the average patient.

I started my chemo of Taxol, carboplatin, and Avastin (on clinical trial) in early December. By February, my count was down to eight!!! YAY!!

I finished my last session of the multiple-drug chemo, and my count is down to four. I will go every three weeks for just the Avastin for the next year and don’t mind it.

The last chemo session

The third and the sixth chemo sessions kicked my butt. But I have not had horrible problems…just multiple side effects that wear me down. I get tired, but I’ve learned to be patient, do what I can, and rest when needed.

This is the first time I have visited a CA125 site online. I didn’t want to read bad things on the internet…I didn’t want to get discouraged. My partner is a nurse, and she bore the burden of doing all the research, sorting fact from fiction, and reading the stories that didn’t have a good ending. It was harder on her and my family and friends than on me. She would “dole out” information to me as she thought I could handle it/understand it.

I feel very fortunate that I will make it through this dangerous HPV period with only minor “test glitches” along the way. Having a positive attitude, doing what they tell you, and getting up and going as much as possible help.

My doctor is amazed, but I am not shocked by how this ended up–as I said, I knew I would beat it…I didn’t know it was going to happen THIS FAST!

I send my good thoughts and vibes to all those fighting this battle. Keep a smile and think good thoughts—I know I am!

THELMA HOLLAND: 2008, AGE 64 

Eleven days ago, doctors diagnosed my mom with ovarian-level disease, and I’m worried for both her and myself. She has an appointment at Duke University on January 06, 2009, to determine her stage. From the information that we have now, she shows no cancer in the organs, but her stomach keeps filling up with fluid. This is how she discovered that she had a problem. 2 weeks ago, she couldn’t bend over due to the bloating in her stomach. She went to the hospital, and they took a gallon of fluid from her. They sent the fluid off for testing and sent her to a liver specialist.

My mom had hepatitis from a blood transfusion when she was in her early 20s, so we thought that she was having problems with her liver. The liver specialist said he couldn’t help her that she needed to go to an oncologist because she had CA125-related ovarian issues, and that she had about 3 good months to live. He said it just like there was a cake in the oven. I didn’t believe it initially; my mom’s first reaction was not to fight but to accept it.

CINDY H.: 2008, AGE 45 

I had been taking care of my mother for 12 years of tests and treatments since her HPV effects took control of her life. We had lost my father in 96, and I was primarily her caregiver since he died. She depended on me for everything. I took her on vacation in May, and right after we came back, we found out she had liver cancer, and it was bad. She was 85, and they said nothing can be done. It was horrible for us to see her in this horrible state. If you have stage IV liver cancer, it is horrible and takes you fast. I could hardly bear to see her in her state. She died in August, 3 months after our vacation! One month, she was enjoying San Antonio, TX, and 3 months later, she was dead. I hope someday they can cure liver cancer.

During the time I was caring for her in her final moments, I experienced a fall. Little did I anticipate that this fall would lead to an unexpected discovery later on. Following the fall, I noticed severe bloating in my stomach. Although I intended to make a checkup visit to the Ca125 doctor, the Hospice informed me that my mom’s passing was imminent that day. Consequently, I cancelled the test for the DNA HPV Appointment, and indeed, my mom passed away later that same day. The following day, I made arrangements for her funeral and found myself unable to endure the pain any longer. Seeking medical attention, I went to the ER, where I received the news of my ovarian-type tumour marker diagnosis.

I felt sadness at my mom’s passing, but I also felt gratitude for the many good years I had with her and was also happy that I stayed healthy enough to care for her when she needed me most. I am glad I got sick later to care for my mom.

God made sure I was well for my mom, but he also let me know (by my fall) that I needed medical attention, too. If I had not had that fall and the blood result, I may still not have known that I had a dangerous tumour growing. But the doctors told me that I am at 2c and that it is curable. I am going for my last chemo on December 31. They told me the high levels of CA125 could come back, but God has helped me so far, and I don’t think he will let me down now.

God has also brought so many different people into my life, telling me their stories of survival. People have stopped me in places like Walmart to tell me that they are HPV survivors and to hang in there and keep up with e-testing and treatments. People can tell right now I have cancer, for I am bald from chemo. Please keep your faith and don’t feel down. There are so many people now who are starting to live with cancer, and though it is rough, new treatments come out all the time and are making things better. Never give up hope!!!!